Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana accommodated a courtesy phone call with Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Industry, this week.

During the call, Minister Elikana extended his congratulations to Minister Conroy and the Australian Labour Party for their recent victory in the 2025 Australian federal election.

Minister Conroy reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the Cook Islands and the Pacific region as a whole. The call provided an opportunity for both governments to reaffirm continued cooperation under the ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership Agreement, signed by both governments in 2022.

Over the last year, the bilateral relationship has grown with the signing of a superannuation portability agreement; extension of Jetstar services to Rarotonga from three to five flights a week; expansion of Police and Maritime Surveillance Program activities; in-person Senior Officials Round Table Talks; and a range of other initiatives delivered across a number of sectors.

Minister Elikana touched upon the longstanding maritime security cooperation, via the Pacific Maritime Security Program, of which the Cook Islands Police Patrol Boat, Te Kukupa II, is delivered through.

He also highlighted the work of the officials in working to finalise the Enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (EPMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Implementing Agreements (IA’s) being led for the Cook Islands by the National Police Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. The Minister expressed his hope for the MOU and IA’s to be signed before the Te Kukupa II’s return voyage to the Cook Islands.

Minister Elikana shared plans for the Cook Islands’ 60^th anniversary of self-governing celebrations and looked forward to welcoming an Australian representative to mark this significant milestone.

Both Ministers expressed confidence in the strength of the relationship and looked forward to continued collaboration in advancing bilateral and regional priorities.

• MFAI